91 entrants for the Italian Baja, a record without borders
A triumph for the Fuoristrada Club 4x4 Pordenone, with competitors from four continents and 28 nations. The race counts towards the FIA World Cup and European Cup, the ACI Sport Italian Cross Country Championship, and the Hungarian Championship. Marotta (ACI Sport): "The Federation is supporting this commitment with great attention."
June 13, 2026_ A title was ready to celebrate the event: "Italian Baja, fear doesn't make ninety!" Because the day before yesterday, people were joking about the 89-competitor threshold reached as registrations closed. It's difficult to explain to foreign guests unfamiliar with the Neapolitan "Smorfia." But now it seems the count has closed at precisely 90 (further last-minute registrations are pending), making it simply "a record without borders."
The race organized by the Fuoristrada Club 4x4 Pordenone (June 25-28) will have competitors from four continents and 28 nations, a similar impact to the good old days when motorcycles and quads also competed, numbers of cars alone to be worn like medals. Of course, everything is tied together by the four validities in the field: the FIA World Cup and European Cup, the ACI Sport Italian Cross Country Championship, and the Hungarian Championship. However, it must also be considered that the international situation has prevented Russian crews from participating for years, limiting those from the Middle East, and recent challenges have caused some breakdowns in the resources of crews forced to pause for reflection. Translation: 90, yes, but there could have been and perhaps will be even more.
"Congratulations to the organizers," emphasized Gianluca Marotta, President of the ACI Sport Off-Road & Cross-Country Rally Commission, "because this result is the fruit of hard work, passion, courage, and investment. The entire movement benefits, and the Federation is supporting this commitment with great dedication. Pordenone, Capital of Culture 2027, confirms its position as the capital of motorsport, as it has for years, and unequivocally this year, thanks to the Artugna Race in March and now the Italian Baja. I would add that Mauro Tavella created this event and has dedicated himself to the discipline as a whole for over 30 years, with an effort that goes beyond any professional limits. His spirit of service to the all-round specialty is consistent with that of ACI Sport and the Off-Road & Cross-Country Rally Commission."
Two strengths: the headquarters at Pordenone Fiere, with first-rate logistics; and the route, remodeled in recent editions, now less demanding on the vehicles. Finally, the authorities' testing has eliminated some small sections at risk of flooding, improving safety and integrity of the entire route.
On Friday, June 26th, the approximately 14km prologue in Cordenons will serve to organize the following day's departures. On Saturday, June 27th, the caravan will tackle a selective sector of approximately 160km twice (in the morning and afternoon), racing along both banks of the Tagliamento River after passing the Meduna and Cosa streams. On Sunday, June 28th, the grand finale for the World Championship and European Championships only will take place, with a final 95km sector in the morning, followed by the awards ceremony at 2:00 PM at the Fiera.
The race will be broadcast live on ACI Sport TV (Sky channel 228 and Tivùsat channel 52) starting with the ceremonial start on Thursday evening, June 25th, in Piazza XX Settembre in Pordenone. A celebration of light and sound before the authorities and those eager to meet all the protagonists of the Italian Baja.
While waiting for the entry list to be announced, here are some random firsts. South African Saood Variawa is announced to be competing in a Toyota Hilux from the official Gazoo Racing team. Born in 2005, he was still 19 when he set the fastest time in the third stage of the 2025 Dakar Rally, becoming the youngest winner in the Ultimate class. There's great anticipation to see Saudi Arabian Dania Akeel back in action, one of those rare female drivers making history in their country. In 2021, she competed with an SSV Can Am, but this time she'll be behind the wheel of a Toyota Hilux Overdrive. Also keeping an eye out for Frenchman Stephane Sarrazin, a former World Rally Championship driver, in Pordenone with SSV Reul Parts. Also returning is Lithuanian Benediktas Vanagas, always faithful to the Toyota Gazoo Racing Baltics Hilux. And what about the Italians? The best of the 2026 CI2C are all here, and a triple coefficient for points in the standings is at stake, potentially upsetting the provisional standings. Reigning champion Emanuele Mengozzi, who missed the Sardegna Rally Raid in May due to technical issues with his Hilux Overdrive after going off the road at the Artugna Race, is back in action. It will be a tight battle between the agile side-by-sides and the classic off-roaders, both of whom are determined to maintain their dominance.
Italian Baja Press Office
Photo Mike's Photo
